Four smart ways to help build your children's vocabulary

    “Johnny next door can name his colors, but Gloria can hardly even say her own name. What am I doing wrong?”{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But the good news is that children really are born to absorb the language around them. The following are some ways to help build your child's vocabulary.

Never use baby talk

    Young children understand so much more than they can initially repeat.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Of course you are not going to start speaking to a baby in difficult English, but it's important to speak to them the way that you'd speak to anybody else. Even if your child can't or doesn't use the same vocabulary when he talks, it is helping his language development.

Follow your child's lead

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Trying to turn her attention away from the clown (小丑) so that you can point out the word for “elephant”, is not only frustrating, but also it's probably not doing much good. Instead of driving the conversation, you'll be more successful in making words “stick”, if you look at what your child is paying attention to.

Encourage any kind of reading.

    Even young kids who haven't yet learned to read will memorize books that they've often heard. So go ahead and have your child “fill in” words as you're reading together.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}For older children who are already readers, it's important to let them choose their own reading material.

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    At two years of age, some kids may only use about 30 words while others may be able to use 300 words. But there's very little evidence that those children with 30 words at age two will have worse outcomes by the time they are five or six years of age.

A. So don't talk down to them.

B. Correct pronunciation gently.

C. Don't panic if your child is slow to talk.

D. It will help with their vocabulary development.

E. That sort of comparison can lead to a lot of parental anxiety.

F. Let's say you're taking a trip to the circus with your young daughter.

G. The best thing that parents can do is really just talk to their children all the time.

    While it is impossible to live completely free of stress, it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can't be avoided.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity. Running, walking, playing tennis, and working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try.

    Take care of yourself {#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you easily get angry and can't sleep well enough,or if you're not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into   stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor.

    Make time for yourself Schedule time for both work and entertainment. Don't forget, play can be just as important to your overall well-being as work.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Gowindow-shopping or work on a hobby. Allow yourself at least a half hour each  day todo something you enjoy.

    Make a list of things to do   Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that “there's so much to do,and not enough time”{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Therefore, you may not achieve anything.Instead,make a list of everything you have to do,then do one thing at atime,  checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the most important task first.

A. Try physical activity.

B. Do whatever you like and want to do.

C. Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you.

D. You could smile to yourself in front of a mirror every day.

E. The following are suggestions for ways to deal with stress.

F. You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest.

G. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.

    You're growing up. That means you're probably experiencing lots of changes, all at once. Your body is changing. It might even seem as if your entire self is changing. It can be confusing and even scary. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And it's good!

    Growing up means that you can do more, learn more, and start to make your mark on the world. In order for that to happen, your body produces chemicals called hormones that help both body and mind grow. Hormone levels change constantly, rising and falling.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} But it's partly to blame for intense emotions, surprising reactions, and mood swings.

    Because of the way your brain develops, it is somewhat ruled by emotion now and through your teen years. As a result, growing up can seem like an emotional roller coaster!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Take care of yourself. If you eat right, sleep enough, and get good exercise, your brain will be much more able to deal with the stress.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} When you feel your moods swinging or you're upset, or confused, some quiet time will allow you to gather your thoughts and get calmer.

    Practice relaxing your body and deep breathing when you wake up and when you go to bed. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Plus, when stuff happens during the day, you'll be able to calm yourself quickly with a deep breath or two before you react. Your body is changing.

A. Take a time-out.

B. But the truth is, it happens to every teen.

C. Work out regularly to keep physically fit.

D. This changing is needed for your body's development.

E. It will help you fall asleep-and start the morning right.

F. Here are a few things you can do to make the ride smoother.

G. Usually, these feelings settle down when you realize what is going on.

    Do you remember those times when your mother told you to avoid talking to strangers? But now you're not a child any more. In fact, there are advantages of talking to strangers.

    1: You can meet a really great person.

    Talking to a stranger is a good habit because you never know whom you may meet. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can also meet someone who'll give you a chance to get your dream job.

    2: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You have some opinions about different subjects and you know your friends' and relatives' points of view about them too. But there are millions of other people who think differently and can give you unpredictable yet smart ideas that'll broaden your horizons.

    3: You can improve your social skills.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Asking appropriate questions and attentive listening are two skills that many of us don't have. You can better these skills when talking to a stranger.

    4: You will feel a boost of confidence.

    If you belong to that shy type of people, talking to a stranger may seem to be a real challenge for you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can overcome your fear of being judged by others by talking to strangers and become more confident.

    5: You can cheer someone up.

    The thing you will definitely like about talking to strangers is that you can make someone's day better. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Compliment people and they will think something pleasant about you. Having a sweet short dialogue is one of those perfect chances to make people cheerful.

A. Smile and people will smile in return.

B. It can expand your world view.

C. Why not speak to someone until your turn comes?

D. I'm also extremely shy but I realize it's not an issue at all.

E. You can meet a person who'll become your best friend in future.

F. It may show you the solutions you didn't know about.

G. Whatever social skills you have, you can make them better when talking to strangers.

    Have you ever realised how much one moment of locking eyes can mean？As one of the best attributes(属性)of human expression, eyes can show a million different emotions in just one look.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}So it's easy to answer why it's good to practise eye contact in your life.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}From talking to your teacher to thanking someone, eye contact shows you see the person as important. Therefore, respect will be received if you pay strong attention through your eyes.

    Looking the person in the eyes shows interest. If you like someone, why not look him in the eyes when you're talking to him？{#blank#}3{#/blank#}In order to put the most effort into showing the interest, look the person in the eye and smile.

    You can convey appreciation quite easily with eye.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}People are able to recognise how you feel. It's a good way to make a good impression on people and show your thanks with sincerity.

    Sometimes eye contact can be all you need to have someone understand what you mean.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}It's possible to guess what someone's thinking based on his eyes and how he looks on you.

A. Eye contact shows respect.

B. Good eye contact is different from glaring.

C. Even one glance can tell you a lot about a person's character.

D. Open your eyes, because you never know who might be watching.

E. Give a meaningful look into their eye while you're thanking people.

F. Looking away from him is unfriendly, especially if the person is trying to get your attention.

G. If you're trying to get a point across, eye contact can be an important way to express yourself.